Sips of Oregon Pinot Noir: Recently Sampled Wines

13.2% alc., $75.
·Moderate reddish-purple color in
the glass. Shy aromas of black cherries, rosebush and flint. Middleweight flavors of black cherries, black
raspberries, cola and rose water, with a flowery undertone. Well-balanced ripe tannins and a focused, chalky
finish leaving behind a lively fruit impression. Not the drive, extract and power we have come to expect from
Shea Vineyard in this vintage, but still a wine of interest. Tasted the following day from a previously opened
bottle, the nose was very perfumed and flowery with hints of oak and spice, the wine was smooth and soft on the
palate, and some appealing spice had been added to the flavor profile. Very good.

12.6% alc., 519 cases, $38. A combination of new, once
used and neutral barrels from all Pinot Noir sites. Some aspect of whole cluster and the result of sur lie aging.
·Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Very fragrant with scents of red cherries and wild
strawberries. Fresh, bright and refreshingly juicy with flavors of red cherries, raspberries on the vine,
watermelon, and toasty oak. Light and delicate, but charming with electric acidity. The best Willamette Valley
bottling from Big Table Farm in a few years. Good (+).

12.6% alc.,$45. A collaboration with Don, Johanna, Lynne
and Perry who farm this vineyard.
·Moderately light reddish-purple color in the
glass. The nose opens gradually, revealing aromas of dark cherries, violets,
spice and brewed tea. Very satiny and seamless on the palate with a tasty core
of fresh cherry fruit enhanced with accents of savory herbs. Modest weight, with
very supple tannins, leaving behind a combination of cherries and green salad
on the finish. I like this wine a lot for its easy manner. A very admirable effort in
this difficult vintage. Very good.

13.0% alc., 200 cases, $35. Aged in 30% new and
40% second-use French oak barrels. No sulfites added during
winemaking. Certified organic by Oregon Tilth. Biodynamic® by
Demeter®. This bottling began as an experiment in 2002, but has
become very popular. Consumers are advised to drink this wine
upon acquisition, although the winemaker believes it will hold up
well for short-term aging.
·Moderately light reddish-purple color in
the glass. Very fruity nose featuring bright aromas of cherries, strawberries and
red fruit punch. Flavorful and forward, offering tastes of dark red and blue
berries, red plum and a complimentary savory herb note. The tannins are well
managed and the acidity brings life to the fruit. An excellent food wine in a Beaujolais style. Good.

13.5%
alc.,112 cases, $42. A blend of several vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton, Eola-
Amity Hills and Chehalem Mountains AVAs. Volcanic and sedimentary soils.
Clones 114, 115, 667, 777, Pommard, Wädenswil and Mariafeld. Aged in 27%
new French oak barrels.
·Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy,
but pleasant aromas of black cherry preserves and musk. Well-endowed with a
core of delicious dark cherry and dark red raspberry flavor. Silky and seamless
on the palate with restrained tannins and noticeable finishing power. The wine
is slow to evolve in the glass and was considerably better the following day from
a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Decant if you must drink now. Very
good.